Photographer Paolo Della RoccaNature Photographer of the Year 2024 awards.Games Between Siblings by Paolo Della RoccaWinner, Mammals In northern India lies a region called Spiti Valley,home to one of the most elusive wild animals on Earththe snow leopard. Sincechildhood, this journey has been a dream of mine, and the snow leopard has always beenmy favorite wild animal.This year, during my search for this mysterious feline, I was lucky enough to encounter a pair of sub-adult siblings and to capture them at different moments in their lives. Themost incredible day of this experience was February 1st. This image was anything but easy to obtain. I waited over six hours at the edge of a canyon as the two siblings restedin a cave. The coldreaching -25 degrees and intensified by a snowstormseeped into my bones.When calm finally returned, the snow leopards began to move, chasing each other up the snowy slopes, playing in front of my astonished eyes. I remember thinking, This isnt happening; it cant be real! And then, I captured this frame. Not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine photographing such a moment. Im so glad and grateful that the jury of NPOTY 2024 appreciated this photograph!Credit: Paolo Della Rocca / NPOTY 2024 In this extraordinary photograph, the photographer has captured what many consider the holy grail of wildlife photographynot just one, but two snowleopards in a dramatic confrontation NPOTY Chairman Tin Man Lee explains. The image freezes a breathtaking moment as these elusive cats rear up on their hind legs, their powerful forms perfectly separated against the snowy landscape, creating a scene of raw power and natural drama. What elevatesthis image beyond a mere sighting is the technical excellence in capturing such explosivebehavior in challenging mountain conditions, combined with the artistic merit of a composition that places these mysterious cats in their ethereal, high-altitude habitat.(Click to expand images to full-size.) Puff(in) Daddy by Brian Matthews Highly Commended, Animal Portraits Credit: Brian Matthews / NPOTY 2024 Sanderling Siesta by Mathijs Frenken Runner Up Credit: Mathijs Frenken / NPOTY 2024 Curious Guanaco by Charles Janson Highly Commended, Mammals Credit: Charles Janson / NPOTY 2024 Gone Fishing by Hannes Lochner Highly Commended, MammalsCredit: Hannes Lochner / NPOTY 2024 HANNES LOCHNER Taking Care of the Male by Antonio Liebana Navarro Highly Commended, Animal Portraits Credit: Antonio Liebana Navarro / NPOTY 2024 Giant Octopus Dolfeini by Andrey Shpatak Winner, UnderwaterJudge Tin Man Lee shares his insights:This photograph masterfully captures the raw energy and fluid grace of an octopus inmotion, creating a mesmerizing composition that immediately draws the viewer into the underwater world. The vibrant colors of the octopus contrast stunningly against the emerald backdrop, while its dynamic pose and sweeping tentacles create natural leading lines that guide the eye through every detail of this extraordinary moment. The photographers technical skill in freezing such a fleeting underwater scene, while maintaining perfect clarity and composition, transforms an already fascinating marine creature into a spellbinding work of art that embodies both the power and elegance of marine life.Credit: Andrey Shpatak / NPOTY 2024 AShpatakAngel or Demon by Francesco GuffantiHighly Commended, BirdsCredit: Francesco Guffanti / NPOTY 2024 Milky Way by Ismael DomnguezRunner Up, YouthCredit: Ismael Domnguez / NPOTY 2024 Ismael Domiinguez Gutierrez Surfing on the other side by Levi Fitze Highly Commended, BirdsCredit: Levi Fitze / NPOTY 2024 Bed Time by Gerard Carbonell Highly Commended, Humans and NatureCredit: Gerard Carbonell / NPOTY 2024 My Pet Tiger by Aaron Gekoski Winner, Humans and NatureJury member Joan de la Malla comments on the winning image in the Human and Naturecategory: This striking photograph features the king of the jungle reclining on aluxurious sofa. The opulent surroundings and the eccentricity of the pet tiger serve as astark reminder of our societys anthropocentrism, which subjects even the most powerfuland dignified animals, like the tiger, to human designs. Without a doubt, this memorable image invites us to reflect on our role as a species on this planet and encourages a criticalexamination of our societys way of living.Credit: Aaron Gekoski / NPOTY 2024 Taken by a Ghost by Pandora Maund Highly Commended, Other AnimalsCredit: Pandora Maund / NPOTY 2024 Pandora MaundEmerald Gem by Louis Guillot Highly Commended, Animal PortraitsCredit: Louis Guillot / NPOTY 2024